(c) 1994, Willis Lamm, TrailBlazer Magazine
Heat Emergencies in Humans;
Heat Emergencies in Horses
By Willis Lamm
Reprinted with permission of TrailBlazer Magazine for non-commercial use.
Part One: Heat Emergencies in Humans
Long trail rides may often include many natural elements. Unexpected
changes in the weather, or simply poor planning, can result in exposure
problems which can range anywhere from mild discomfort to genuine life
threatening emergencies. In addition to one's own health and safety, the trail
rider could come upon others' such as hikers, who may be suffering ill effects
due to overexposure to the elements. The prepared rider should have sufficient
knowledge to cope with these emergencies. There are two basic environmental
emergencies: exposure to heat and exposure to cold, each with varying degrees
of seriousness. This month we will discuss the most current procedures for
trail riding in the heat.
Many victims do not consider heat-related emergencies to be serious. Heat cramp and heat exhaustion victims should be treated and discouraged from returning to their previous activities until fully recovered. Otherwise the conditions will likely worsen.
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are typically the first symptoms of injury from excessive heat.
They can result from simple overexertion on a warm day, or they can be the
first signs of a more perilous inability to cope with environmental heat.
Signs and symptoms include severe muscle cramps (generally leg and/or abdominal
cramps) exhaustion, and occasionally dizziness and/or fainting.
EMERGENCY CARE PROCEDURES:
When treating heat cramps one must realize that symptoms can he
the first signs of a more serious problem and treat accordingly.
Move victim to a cool place.
Give fluids, preferably with electrolytes.
Massage affected muscles (firm pressure massage).
Apply moist towels to forehead and cramped muscles.
Call for transportation to medical care if symptoms persist.
Out on the trail the rescuer will have to improvise. Hopefully, shade is
available as well as a source of water for wetting clothing or cloths to use
as cool compresses. Immersing the victim in water is not recommended since the
sudden change in temperature could have harmful effects. If the victim has to
walk out of the area, set a reasonable pace so a more dangerous relapse does
not occur.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a more serious result of heat exposure. Signs and
symptoms include rapid, shallow breathing, cold, clammy skin, heavy
perspiration, general weakness, and possible loss of consciousness. Heat
exhaustion can rapidly progress to heat stroke if the victim remains exposed
and does not replenish lost fluids.
EMERGENCY CARE PROCEDURES:
Activate EMS system (send someone to call 9-1-1).
Move victim to a cool place.
Rest victim.
Remove enough clothing to cool but don't chill.
Give fluids with electrolytes (to conscious victims only).
Treat for shock.
Victim needs high concentratIon of oxygen.
If victim fails to recover rapidly or has a history of medical
problems, call for transportation to definitive medical care.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a serious life threatening emergency wherein the victim's
cooling system has failed and prolonged high body temperature will likely
result in brain damage or death. Signs and symptoms include deep breaths
followed by shallow breathing, a rapid strong pulse followed by rapid, weak
pulse, dry hot skin, dilated pupils, loss of consciousness / possible coma,
and possibly seizures or muscular twitching.
EMERGENCY CARE PROCEDURES
Activate EMS system (send someone to call 9-1-1).
Rapidly cool the victim in any manner possible.
Get victim out of the sun into a cooler area.
Remove clothing and wrap with wet towels or sheets if
possible.
If cold packs or ice bags are available, pack one under each
armpit, behind each knee, one on the groin, one on each wrist and one on
each side of the neck.
Treat for shock.
Provide victim high concentration of oxygen.
Victim must be transported to definitive care as soon as
possible.
Should transport be delayed, immerse victim up to his or her face
in a stream, pool, tub, trough, etc. Ensure that the weakened victim
does not drown.
Prevention
You can take some steps to avoid experiencing these kinds of
emergencies.
Condition yourself adequately before engaging in heavy exercise
in the heat.
Drink plenty of liquids before the activity and stay adequately
hydrated.
Consume electrolyte rich beverages prior to the activity. Like
adding oil to your car engine, it's better to start out with the
"crankcase full", rather than play catch-up after the machinery is
stressed.
Pace yourself.
Cool off as frequently as possible, particularly when high
temperatures and high humidity combine.
If you start to feel weak, stop, rest and rehydrate.
Part Two: Heat Emergencies in Horses
Horses worked hard in hot and/or humid weather are susceptible
to three serious conditions; dehydration, heat exhaustion and
heat stroke. While the biological effects are much the same as
in humans, prevention and treatment are somewhat different.
Dehydration:
Since horses have significant muscle mass, they can generate a
tremendous amount of muscle heat and will sweat profusely when
worked hard in warm temperatures. As a result, horses are more
susceptible to dehydration than most other animals. They will
lose more body fluids and the ionized minerals (electrolytes)
that they contain.
When muscles contract, ionized potassium passes through cell
walls into body fluids. These fluids, which contain
concentrations of sodium and chloride ions, absorb the potassium.
Sodium and chloride ions from body fluids are absorbed by the
muscle cells. As the ion composition in the muscle cells and
body fluids become similar due to the exchanges taking place
during exercise, muscle fatigue occurs which can lead to cramps
and azoturia (tying up).
The dehydrated horse has lost body fluids and the electrolytes
found in them. He will exhibit muscle fatigue, a lack of will to
win, poor recovery from exercise and/or skin which when pinched
is slow to return to normal.
PREVENTION:
Condition the horse before hard rides. Clip the coat.
Provide balanced electrolyte supplements as a part of regular
nutrition. Water frequently, but not too much at one time if the
horse is hot. Frequently cool the horse with water to reduce the
need for sweating, but avoid rapidly cooling large muscle
areas.
TREATMENT:
Get the horse into shade. Cool with a fan if possible. You
can also cool with water, again avoiding large muscle areas. For
milder dehydration you can administer oral electrolytes with
feed, drinking water or oral paste. For serious cases a
veterinarian should be contacted. A blood test can be conducted
to determine specifically which electrolytes are deficient and
intravenous electrolytes can be administered along with other
helpful drugs.
Heat Exhaustion:
Heat exhaustion is also called hyperthermia and is usually
seen in poorly conditioned horses which are worked on a hot day,
and even in well conditioned horses which are worked hard on an
exceptionally hot day or when it is very humid.
Exhausted horses will show increased heart and respiratory
rates, may sweat profusely, and as heat exhaustion advances the
horse may become dehydrated and his sweat mechanism may fail.
The horse may become dull, restless and uncoordinated. More
severely affected horses may show "thumps" (spasmodic jerking of
the diaphragm and/or flanks), or even collapse and go into
convulsions. If the horse's body temperature stays above 107
degrees F to 109 degrees F for more than a short period of time,
he will probably die.
PREVENTION:
Avoiding heat exhaustion is virtually the same as for
dehydration. If you prevent dehydration, you will probably
prevent heat exhaustion. Simply don't push your horse into
uncontrolled, profuse sweating. Be watchful and back off or
abort the ride if your horse shows any signs of difficulty on a
hot day.
TREATMENT:
Use the same treatments as dehydration. You will need to more
aggressively cool the horse, but watch out for shock which can
occur from overly rapid cooling of the animal. If possible,
stand him in a cool stream. Pour water over him with a bucket or
sponge or spray with a hose. Use cool, not cold water. Provide
fluids, with electrolytes if possible. If the horse will not
drink enough fluids to overcome the dehydration, call a
veterinarian before matters get worse.
Heat Stroke:
Heat stroke is a potential killer. The rider who has pushed
his horse past dehydration and into heat exhaustion is asking for
deadly heat stroke! It is at this point that the horse's cooling
mechanism fails, he cannot counteract his overheating and he will
probably die if immediate help is not provided. You can tell you
are facing heat stroke when you observe the same symptoms as heat
exhaustion and your overworked, overheated and weakened horse
simply cannot sweat any longer and starts to dry out.
PREVENTION:
Prevention is virtually the same as for heat exhaustion. Use
common sense. Don't push your horse into the danger zone,
especially on hot, humid days.
TREATMENT:
This is a true emergency. Call a veterinarian at once! Spray
the horse with cold water or wet down with buckets. If the horse
becomes uncoordinated, you can apply ice packs to the head. If
the horse cools down before the vet arrives, rub him down with
towels to prevent chilling as he is likely to go into shock. Any
delay in cooling a horse with heat stroke will likely result in
brain damage or death.
Other Heat Related Problems:
Hauling horses in hot weather is a definite concern.
Overheating in the trailer will affect the horse's condition and
usability when you reach your destination. Lack of consideration
of overheating during transport can lead to heat stroke or
exhaustion in the trailer or early into the ride. At the very
least, your horse will lose precious electrolytes which will be
needed during the ride.
When trailering in temperatures of 90 degrees F or higher,
provide water frequently. Whenever possible, trailer at night
or in the early morning hours. Use a well ventilated trailer.
Check the horses regularly.
Any horse who is exhibiting rapid breathing and signs of
weakness or trembling could be in trouble and should be
immediately checked out for possible heat exhaustion or heat
stroke.
* * *
Maintain your edge. Stay in tune with your horse. Provide
for his needs both before the ride (or trailer trip) and during
it. Your horse may continue to "try" for you even if it is not
in his best interest, so keep an eye on how he is doing and deal
with any symptom before it becomes a serious problem. Don't wait
for a vet or another rider to pull you off to show you things
that you should already be aware of!
Our thanks to TrailBlazer Magazine for permission to post this series on our web page.
You can visit the TrailBlazer website at www.horsetrails.com.
Other Heat Related Links
Heat Related Emergencies
"Are You Ready for a Heat Wave?"
How to Protect Your Kids When the Weather is Too Hot to Handle
Email the author
Return to Safety Main Page
|